Ayre P-5Xe Owner Manual

Ayre P-5x

Owner’s Manual

A y r e

MC/MM Phono Preamplifier

Table of

Contents

Welcome to Ayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Connections and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Controls and Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Information for Customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Numbers and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Statement of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

A Place for Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Welcome to

Ayre

Please send in your warranty

registration card so we can

stay in contact with you.

Your Ayre P-5x offers a significant advance in the
musical performance of high-fidelity equipment.
The warmth and immediacy of a live performance
are apparent from the first listening. The
combination of superb resolution and a natural,
relaxed quality will draw you into the music, time
and time again.

This level of performance has been implemented
using the highest level of workmanship and
materials. You can be assured that the Ayre P-5x
will provide you a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

2

Connections and

Installation

The Ayre P-5x phono preamplifier is easy to hook
up and use. The following guidelines will ensure
that the installation goes smoothly.

Location

It is recommended to maintain

a distance of 10" to 20"

(25 cm to 50 cm) to other

components to minimize hum

levels.

The balanced configuration

yields maximum sonic

performance with minimum

noise and hum.

A good location for your phono preamplifier is in a
cabinet or on a rack or shelf. Please note that the
high-gain circuitry required to amplify the low-level
signal from a phono cartridge may be sensitive to
the magnetic fields from transformers in other
equipment.

Inputs

As the phono cartridge is an inherently balanced
device, the Ayre P-5x offers balanced inputs via
three-pin XLR connectors. Since most tone arms
and/or turntables are not currently equipped with
XLR connectors, there are two choices for making
the proper connection:

3

A y r e

Boulder, Colorado USA

S.N.

P-5x Phono Preamplifier

Output

Gain Settings Inside

Input

47k

100

1000

47k

1000

100

Input

BalBal

Output

UnbalUnbal

1) Use custom phono cables with XLR connectors at
the phono preamplifier end and the appropriate
connector (RCA or DIN, depending on the
particular installation) at the turntable end. This is
the preferred solution and offers the highest level of
sound quality, or;

2) Use the existing cables with RCA connectors to
connect to the unbalanced inputs of the P-5x.

A small toggle switch near the input connectors
configures the circuit for either the balanced or
unbalanced inputs.

50/60 Hertz
10 W Max

Volts

Note that the level of the

unbalanced outputs will be

6 dB lower than the balanced

outputs.

4

Only one set of inputs (balanced or
unbalanced) may be connected at a
time.

Outputs

The Ayre P-5x offers one pair of balanced (XLR)
outputs and one pair of unbalanced (RCA) outputs.
Although both sets of outputs are always active
regardless of which input (balanced or unbalanced)
is used, it is normally recommended to only use one
set of outputs at a time.

AC Power

The phono preamplifier draws

only a small amount of power

and is designed to be left on at

all times.

Connect the Ayre P-5x to an unswitched AC power
source. The front panel LED will glow blue to
indicate that the unit is powered. The best sound
quality is normally achieved when the P-5x is
plugged directly into the wall outlet, without using
any power strips or power line conditioners.

5

Controls and

Operation

The Ayre P-5x offers the ultimate in flexibility and
performance for all types of phono cartridges.
Low-noise FET circuitry provides ultra-quiet
operation even with the lowest output cartridges.
Both gain and loading are easily adjustable to
accommodate both moving coil and moving magnet
designs.

Setting the Gain

Ayre’s exclusive zero-feedback design allows for a
wide range of signal gain, without the need for
step-up transformers or extra gain stages. Changing
the gain is easily accomplished with jumper blocks
inside the unit.

Disconnect the AC power before
removing the cover of the unit.

To access the gain adjustments, remove the 10
screws on the top cover using a 5/64" (2 mm) hex
wrench.

6

Suggested gain settings are:

Cartridge Gain Gain to Out

Output

> 3 mV Low 50/44 dB

1 – 3 mV Med* 60/54 dB

< 1 mV High 70/64 dB

These gain settings are guidelines only. Variations
from these settings are perfectly acceptable.

*Factory default setting.

Setting Bal/Unbal

7

Setting the Loading

Cartridge loading can be adjusted with switches on
the rear panel. The loading options built in to the

Ayre P-5x are 47 kΩ, 1000 Ω, and 100 Ω. There is

a bank of two switches for each channel. When both
switches are in the “Up” position the cartridge load

is 47 kΩ, which is suitable for almost all cartridges.

It is recommended that the

loading not be changed from

47 k when using a

moving-magnet cartridge.

100 to 500 hours of music

played through the system will

ensure full break-in.

Some moving-coil cartridges will yield better sonic
performance if they are loaded with a lower
impedance. Usually, a lower load impedance results
in a more focused soundstage, with greater image
solidity and less apparent distortion. A higher load
impedance will give a more “open” sound, with
greater “air” and “life”. The final loading value must
be chosen by ear to give the best sound in your
particular system.

Break-In

Due to the manufacturing processes used for the
circuit board and capacitors, a break-in period is
necessary for the phono preamplifier to reach its full
sonic potential.

8

Information for

Customization

Technically oriented users may wish to explore
additional customization options that are available
when using the Ayre P-5x phono preamplifier.

Custom Loading Resistors

When using custom loading

resistors, leave the loading

switches in the “Up” position

(47 kΩ).

Should additional loading values be desired, custom
loading resistors are also easily accommodated. As
there are two types of inputs (balanced and
unbalanced), simply connect the desired value of
loading resistor to the unused inputs using an
appropriate connector (RCA or XLR).

Required materials include a pair of high-quality
resistors of the desired value and an additional pair
of the appropriate connectors (RCA or XLR). Male
polarity connectors are required for the custom
loading resistors.

When using a balanced (XLR) connection to the
turntable, solder the desired value loading resistors
between the center pin and the shell of the
additional male RCA connectors. These additional
connectors are then inserted into the otherwise

9

unused unbalanced inputs of the P-5x.

When using an unbalanced (RCA) connection to the
turntable, solder the custom loading resistors
between pins 2 and 3 of the additional male XLR
connectors. These additional connectors are then
inserted into the otherwise unused balanced inputs
of the P-5x.

Custom Phono Cables

As noted in the “Installation” section, a balanced
connection from turntable to phono preamplifier
will provide the highest level of performance. While
Ayre offers pre-made cables of the correct
configuration, some users will prefer to have custom
phono cables made by another manufacturer, or to
modify their existing cables. This section gives
details on how to achieve the proper connection.

10

In general, there will be a total of five connections to
the turntable:

Left positive
Left negative
Right positive
Right negative
Tonearm ground

These should be connected to the phono
preamplifier using only a single ground connection,
in order to eliminate hum-inducing ground loops.

Turntables with RCA Connectors

One common turntable configuration has two RCA
jacks plus a ground post. Following is a schematic
diagram of a suitable custom cable:

To

Turntable

Male RCA Shield

Spade Lug Spade Lug

Ground Wire

Male XLR

This configuration has two separate cables plus a
ground wire, and requires balanced cabling with at
least two conductors plus a shield. If the cabling has
a third conductor (in addition to the shield), it
should be connected to pin 1 of the XLR connector
and left unconnected at the RCA end. If the cabling
has four or more conductors, they should be
paralleled to create two composite conductors.

1

To Phono

Preamplifier

1

Normally this turntable configuration has the RCA
connectors mounted to an unsuspended part of the
turntable and the cable’s stiffness will not interfere
with the turntable’s suspension. Should the RCA
connectors be mounted to a suspended part of the

11

turntable, the custom cables must be made flexible
to allow proper motion of the suspended sub-chassis.
This is normally done by removing a section of the
cable’s outer jacket near the turntable.

A custom phono cable using a single cable may also
be used as shown below:

To

Turntable

Male RCA

Male XLR

1

Shield

To Phono

Preamplifier

1

Ground Wire

Spade LugSpade Lug

Please note that this configuration requires cabling
that has a multiple of four conductors plus a shield.
If there are eight or twelve conductors, they must be
paralleled to create four composite conductors. Also,
a short section of the cable jacket must be removed
at each end of the custom cable to allow the
connectors to be physically separated.

12

Turntables with a DIN Connector

Another common tonearm configuration has a 5-pin
DIN connector below the turntable base. This DIN

To

Turntable

connector is nearly always on a suspended part of the
turntable, and care must be taken to provide a
flexible section of the custom phono cable so that
the turntable’s suspension can have free motion.

It is usually easier to create the required flexibility
by using a single cable with four conductors plus a
shield, instead of using a separate cable for each
channel. Below is the schematic diagram for a
suitable custom phono cable in this application,
with the DIN connector shown from the rear
(solder) side:

Female DIN

Male XLR

1

Shield

To Phono

Preamplifier

1

Ground Wire

Spade Lug

Remember that a section of the cable’s outer jacket
must be removed from each end of the custom cable.
This provides a flexible section at the tonearm end,
and allows the XLR connectors to be physically
separated at the phono preamplifier end.

13

In the event that a four conductor cable is not
available, a pair of cables with at least two
conductors each may be used as shown in the
following diagram, with the DIN connector shown
from the rear (solder) side:

1

1

14

In this situation extra care must be taken to provide
a flexible section to avoid interference with the
turntable’s suspension. If the cabling has three
conductors (in addition to the shield), the third
conductor should be connected to pin 1 of the XLR
connectors and left unconnected at the tonearm end.

Numbers and

Specifications

Input Impedance 47 kΩ, 1000 Ω, 100 Ω

(adjustable)

Gain 50 dB, 60 dB, 70 dB – balanced outputs

44 dB, 54 dB, 64 dB – unbalanced outputs
(adjustable)

Frequency Response RIAA Curve ± 0.05 dB

(20 Hz – 20 kHz)

Output Impedance 110 Ω – balanced outputs (55 Ω per phase)

55 Ω – unbalanced outputs

XLR Input Polarity Pin 1 – Ground

Pin 2 – Non-inverting (Positive)
Pin 3 – Inverting (Negative)

Power Consumption 10 watts

Dimensions 17-¼" W x 13-¾" D x 2-¾" H

44 cm x 35 cm x 7 cm

Weight 12 pounds

5.5 kg

15

Statement of

Warranty

Please take a moment to fill

out and return the enclosed

warranty registration card.

Your Ayre P-5x phono preamplifier is warranted
against defects in workmanship and materials for a
period of five years from the date of purchase. This
warranty is transferable to subsequent purchasers
within the original five-year period. All warranty
claims must be made through an authorized Ayre
dealer or distributor.

Warranty Statement

1. Ayre Acoustics, Inc. (Ayre) warrants the materials
and workmanship of this product for a period of five
years from date of first purchase. If any defects are
found in the materials or workmanship of this Ayre
product within the warranty period, the unit will be
repaired or replaced by Ayre or its authorized agent.

2. Purchaser must return the product, packed in the
original shipping carton, freight prepaid to:

16

Ayre Acoustics, Inc.
2300-B Central Avenue
Boulder, Colorado 80301

or to Ayre’s authorized agent.

3. Ayre reserves the right to inspect any product
that is the subject of any warranty claim prior to
repairing or replacing it. Final determination of
warranty coverage lies solely with Ayre.

Out-of-warranty claims will be billed for labor,
materials, return freight, and insurance as required.
Any product for which a warranty claim is accepted
will be returned to the purchaser and the cost of
shipping and insurance will be factory prepaid
within the boundaries of the USA. Units to be
shipped outside of the USA will be shipped freight
collect only.

4. Ayre strives to manufacture the finest possible
equipment, and therefore reserves the right to make
improvements on its products, without necessarily
assuming an obligation to retrofit such changes
upon its previously manufactured models.

5. The above warranty is the sole warranty given by
Ayre, and is in lieu of all other warranties. All
implied warranties, including warranties of
merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose
shall be strictly limited in duration to five years
from the date of original purchase, and upon
expiration of the warranty period (five years), Ayre
shall have no further obligation of any kind, whether
express or implied. Further, Ayre shall in no event
be obligated for any incidental or consequential
damages as a result of any defect or any warranty
claim, whether express or implied.

17

6. Ayre does not authorize any third party,
including any dealer or sales representative to
assume any liability of Ayre or make any warranty
for Ayre. The unit must not have been altered or
improperly serviced. The serial number on the unit
must not have been altered or removed.

7. Warranty registration cards must be completed
and mailed to Ayre within 30 days of purchase. Ayre
may, at its option, require from the purchaser valid
proof of purchase (dated copy or photocopy of
dealer's original invoice).

18

A Place for

Notes

19

20 Revision 1.0a

Ayre Acoustics, Inc.

2300-B Central Avenue

Boulder, Colorado 80301

www.ayre.com

[phone]